U.S. patent application number 11/905184 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-03 for map data utilization apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to DENSO CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Hiroki Kimura.
Application Number | 20080082260 11/905184 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39262036 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080082260 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kimura; Hiroki |
April 3, 2008 |
Map data utilization apparatus
Abstract
A map data utilization apparatus retrieves a version information
of map data for a specific area when a current position of a
vehicle is updated. Then, the version information of the map data
of the specific area is compared with a version information of the
map data of an identical area in a version list that is retrieved
in advance for map data updating. When the version of the map data
in the version list is different from the one of the map data of
the specific area, an inquiry screen is displayed on a display unit
for inquiring a user whether the map data is updated. When an
update is instructed by the user, map data update data is acquired
from an information center, and the map data of the specific area
is updated by using the map data update data.
Inventors: |
Kimura; Hiroki; (Anjo-city,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
POSZ LAW GROUP, PLC
12040 SOUTH LAKES DRIVE, SUITE 101
RESTON
VA
20191
US
|
Assignee: |
DENSO CORPORATION
Kariya-city
JP
|
Family ID: |
39262036 |
Appl. No.: |
11/905184 |
Filed: |
September 28, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/533 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01C 21/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/209 ;
701/200; 701/208 |
International
Class: |
G01C 21/34 20060101
G01C021/34; G01C 21/00 20060101 G01C021/00; G06F 17/30 20060101
G06F017/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 3, 2006 |
JP |
2006-271823 |
Claims
1. A map data utilization apparatus comprising: a storage that
stores map data to be utilized in a process that is executed in the
map data utilization apparatus, wherein the map data is capable of
being updated by an area of a predetermined range in a map; a
communication unit that communicates with an external information
center; a list acquisition unit that acquires a version list of the
map data for updating respective areas in the map; a map data
acquisition unit that acquires map data from the external
information center by the communication unit, wherein the map data
acquisition unit compares a version of the map data of a specific
area with a version of the map data in the version list for map
data updating so as to acquire the map data of the specific area
when the version of the map data of the specific area is different
from the version of the map data of a same area in the version list
for map data updating; and a map data update unit that updates the
map data of the specific area stored in the storage based on map
data that is acquired by the map data acquisition unit for map data
updating.
2. The map data utilization unit of claim 1 further comprising: a
position detector that detects a current position of a mobile body
of the map data utilization apparatus for a mobility of the
apparatus, wherein the map data acquisition unit compares the
version of the map data of an area that includes the current
position of the mobile body with the version of the map data of a
same area in the version list for map data updating when the
current position is updated based on a detection result of the
position detector.
3. The map data utilization unit of claim 1, wherein the map data
includes POI information that specifies attributes of a point of
interest (POI), the map data is capable of being utilized in a
predetermined process regarding the POI, the map data acquisition
unit compares the version of the map data of an area that includes
a position of the POI with the version of the map data of a same
area in the version list for map data updating when a user provides
an instruction of specifying the POI.
4. The map data utilization unit of claim 1 further comprising: a
display unit that displays a map image based on the map data,
wherein, when a geographical area of a map to be displayed on the
display unit is changed, the map data acquisition unit compares the
version of the map data of a display area after display area change
with the version of the map data of a same area in the version list
for map data updating.
5. The map data utilization unit of claim 4, wherein, when the
geographical area of the map to be displayed on the display unit is
changed by scrolling, the map data acquisition unit compares the
version of the map data of the display area after display area
change with the version of the map data of a same area in the
version list for map data updating.
6. The map data utilization unit of claim 1, wherein, when the
version of the map data of the specific area is different from the
version of the map data of the same area in the version list for
map data updating, the map data acquisition unit inquires a user
whether to update the map data of the specific area, and when the
user allows an update of the map data of the specific area, the map
data acquisition unit acquires the map data for map data updating
of the specific area from the information center through the
communication unit.
7. The map data utilization unit of claim 6, when the version of
the map data of the specific area is different from the version of
the map data of the same area in the version list for map data
updating, the map data acquisition unit inquires a user whether to
update the map data of the specific area, and the map data
acquisition unit allows the user to select one of an automatic
update mode for automatically updating the map data through
acquiring the map data and an inquiry update mode for updating the
map data after making an inquiry about map data updating to the
user.
8. A navigation apparatus having the map data utilization unit of
claim 1, wherein a function of route navigation that provides a
navigation route towards a specified destination based on the map
data is provided.
9. A program product stored in a storage medium for operating a
computer comprising steps of: controlling the computer to be
utilized as the map data utilization apparatus of claim 1,
providing a function of the list acquisition unit by controlling
the computer, providing a function of the map data acquisition unit
by controlling the computer, and providing a function of the map
data update unit by controlling the computer.
10. A method of utilizing map data in a map data utilization
apparatus comprising: storing map data in a storage to be utilized
in a process that is executed in the map data utilization
apparatus, wherein the map data is capable of being updated by an
area of a predetermined range in a map; communicating with an
external information center for data communication; acquiring a
version list of the map data for updating respective areas in the
map; acquiring the map data from the external information center by
the communication unit, wherein the version of the map data of a
specific area is compared with a version of the map data in the
version list for map data updating so as to acquire the map data of
the specific area when the version of the map data of the specific
area is different from the version of the map data of a same area
in the version list for map data updating; and updating the map
data of the specific area stored in the storage based on the
acquired map data for map data updating.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is based on and claims the benefit
of priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-271823 filed on
Oct. 3, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a map data
utilization method and apparatus for use in a vehicle.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0003] Conventionally, a navigation system that executes various
processes based on map data in a storage medium is, for example,
capable of updating the map data in the storage medium by acquiring
a newer version of the map data through a communication with an
external resource. In this manner, the usability of map data
utilization apparatus including the navigation system is
improved.
[0004] Japanese patent document JP-A-2003-315054 discloses a
navigation system that updates map data by receiving a newer
version of the map data of a predetermined area from an external
data center for an update of a map in an area-by-area manner. The
acquisition of the map data is performed by sending a map data
delivery request for an update area of the map to the data center
based on a user operation on an operation terminal. The disclosure
in the above document claims that the map data acquisition time and
cost are reduced in this manner.
[0005] The navigation system in the above patent document performs
the map data update when a user performs by him/herself an
operation that transmits the delivery request. Therefore, the map
data stored in the navigation system is kept un-updated when the
user does not transmit a request for a newer version of the map
data despite of an issuance of the newer version of the map data.
In addition, the user is not well informed of an update timing of
the map data. As a result, the user has to frequently transmit the
request for the latest version of the map data if he/she desires to
maintain the map data of the navigation system in an up-to-date
condition all the time. The frequent operation for transmitting a
map data update request is nothing but inconvenient for the
user.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0006] In view of the above and other problems, the present
disclosure provides a technique that updates map data of high
demand for a user in a suitable manner without inquiring the user
for an update timing.
[0007] A map data utilization apparatus of the present disclosure
includes a storage that stores map data to be utilized in a process
that is executed in the map data utilization apparatus, a
communication unit that communicates with an external information
center, a list acquisition unit that acquires a version list of the
map data for updating respective areas in the map, a map data
acquisition unit that acquires map data from the external
information center by the communication unit, and a map data update
unit that updates the map data of the specific area stored in the
storage based on map data that is acquired by the map data
acquisition unit for map data updating.
[0008] The map data is capable of being updated by an area of a
predetermined range in a map, and the map data acquisition unit
compares a version of the map data of a specific area with a
version of the map data in the version list for map data updating
so as to acquire the map data of the specific area when the version
of the map data of the specific area is different from the version
of the map data of a same area in the version list for map data
updating.
[0009] By using the map data utilization apparatus, map data of the
specific area in the map is appropriately updated at a suitable
timing without inquiring of the user about a map data acquisition
timing for updating map data. Thus, only the specific area of the
map data is maintained to be the latest version with a reduced cost
and time for communication in comparison to the update of the map
data of a whole map.
[0010] The comparison timing of the version of the map data in the
storage in the apparatus with the version of map data in the
version list and the update area of the map data may be determined
based on criteria that the update area is in high demand and high
interest in terms of the user needs and that the update of the map
data is just in time in terms of the user needs. In this manner,
the user needs is accommodated with a reduced communication cost
and time for updating the map data.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0012] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram a navigation apparatus in an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of a version list acquisition
process in the navigation apparatus;
[0014] FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a map data update process in the
navigation apparatus; and
[0015] FIG. 4 shows an illustration of an inquiry screen for
confirming map data update.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0017] (Explanation of Navigation Apparatus 1)
[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline configuration
of a navigation apparatus 1 for use in a vehicle in an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0019] The navigation apparatus 1 includes a position detector 21
for detecting a current position of the vehicle, operation switches
22 for inputting various instructions, a remote control terminal (a
remote controller) 23a for inputting various instructions just like
the operation switches 22, a remote control sensor 23b for
inputting signals from the remote controller 23a, a communication
unit 24 for communication with an external information distribution
center 5, a map data input unit 25 for inputting map data or the
like from an external recording medium, a display unit 26 for
displaying map or the like, a sound output unit (speaker) 27 for
outputting various guidance voice or the like, and a control unit
29 for controlling those parts.
[0020] The position detector 21 includes a global positioning
system (GPS) receiver 21a that receives a transmission of an
electric wave from a man-made satellite through a GPS antenna for
determining a position of the vehicle, a gyroscope 21b that outputs
detection signals according to an angular velocity of rotational
movement of the vehicle, and a speed sensor 21c that outputs
detection signals according to a speed of the vehicle. The sensors
21a.about.21c have respectively different errors inherent to the
characteristics of the device, thereby being configured to serve
with each other for correcting errors in a compensatory manner. In
this case, only one or more of the above sensors may be used based
on their accuracy, or other sensors such as a steering angle
sensor, a tire sensor on each tire or the like may also be
used.
[0021] The operation switches 22 are switches such as mechanical
switches or touch switches on a screen of or around the display
unit 26 or similar devices. The communication unit 24 receives a
version list of map data or map data itself for map data update
from the external information distribution center 5 through
information communication with the information distribution center
5, and inputs the received map data to the control unit 29. In this
case, the communication unit 24 may be configured to have
communication with the information distribution center 5 through
networks such as Internet or the like. In addition, the information
distribution center 5 is equipped with servers (not illustrated in
the figure) for managing data as well as communication terminals
(not illustrated in the figure) for having communication through
communication lines, and accommodates the information communication
with the navigation apparatus 1 through the communication
terminals. The information distribution center 5 distributes, upon
having requests from the navigation apparatus 1, the version list
of the map data and the map data for updating maps that are stored
in the server.
[0022] The map data input unit 25 reads data from a nonvolatile
storage medium, and the data is input to the control unit 29 under
control of the control unit 29. The data stored in the nonvolatile
storage medium memorizes are so-called map matching data for
improving position detection accuracy enhancement of statement as
well as the map data, route navigation data, a program for
operating the navigation apparatus 1 and the like. As for the data
storage media, the nonvolatile memory medium with rewritable
characteristics such as a hard disk, a flash memory, a memory card
and the like are used.
[0023] The map data memorized in the storage medium is divided into
areas having a predetermined area size for an update of the
contents. As for the predetermined area size, grid areas with a
predetermined divider interval (e.g., several to dozens of
kilometers), a predetermined administration division or a
combination of plural administration divisions may be used.
Further, the map data may include data regarding points of interest
to provide information on specific facilities and places.
[0024] The display unit 26 is a color display device having a
display surface made of a liquid crystal or the like. The display
unit 26 is capable of displaying various images in the display
surface depending on the input of a picture signal from the control
unit 29. For example, while the vehicle is traveling, the display
unit 26 serves as a navigation screen by displaying a vehicle icon
based on a current vehicle position detected by the position
detector 21 and other symbols such as a navigation route, a name, a
landmark and the like superposed on top of a map that is inputted
from the map data input unit 25.
[0025] The sound output unit (speaker) 27 is constituted so that
various information is notified for a user by using a sound,
thereby enabling a guidance provision through both of an image from
the display unit 26 and a sound from the sound output unit 27.
[0026] The control unit 29 consists mainly of a central processing
unit (CPU), a ROM, a RAM, an I/O and bus lines connecting these
components, and controls these components in a unified manner. The
control unit 29 performs various processes according to a program
memorized by the ROM or the like.
[0027] For example, a map display process and a route guidance
process are nominated for navigation-related process. The map
display process includes a calculation process of the current
vehicle position as a combination of a travel direction and
position coordinates based on detection signals from various
components in the position detector 21 and a display process of a
map image or the like around the current vehicle position on the
display unit 26 based on the map data from the map data input unit
25. The route guidance process includes an optimum route
calculation process between the current position and a destination
based on the map data in the input unit 25 and the destination
specified by using the operation switches 22, the remote controller
23a, or the like and a guidance process that guides the user along
the calculated route. The optimum route is automatically calculated
by using a cost calculation technique such as Dijkstra method or
the like. In addition, based on the map data inputted from the
input unit 25, the map around a user specified point or around the
POI is displayed on the display unit 26.
[0028] Further, the control unit 29 compares a version of the map
data for use in the various processes described above with a newest
version at a predetermined timing, and acquires updated map data
from the information distribution center 25 when the updated map
data is available. The control unit 29 performs an update process
(i.e., "a version list acquisition process" and "a map data update
process") that updates the map data in the navigation apparatus 1
by using the acquired updated map data. Details of the map data
update process is described later.
[0029] (Explanation of the Version List Acquisition Process)
[0030] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing "the version list acquisition
process" which is performed by the control unit 29 of navigation
apparatus 1. This process is started when an accessories switch of
the vehicle is turned on for supplying an electric power to the
navigation apparatus 1 or when a similar procedure is
performed.
[0031] First, when the version list acquisition process is started,
the control unit 29 determines whether a list acquisition timing
has arrived (step S110). In this case, the version list is a list
of latest versions of the map data for updating map data
distributed from the information distribution center 5. More
practically, the list of the latest versions of the map data
includes version information of the map data in each of the divided
area in the map according to a predetermined area division. The
version list is updated to reflect the latest version information
on a map data distributor side whenever map data for the latest
update is published and served for downloading from the information
distribution center 5.
[0032] In addition, the timing for acquiring the version list in
S110 may be set as a predetermined interval such as everyday, every
week, every month or the like. The version list may also be
acquired at a user defined date and time.
[0033] When it is determined that it is not the timing for
acquiring the version list in step S110, (S110:NO), the process
concludes itself. On the other hand, when it is determined that it
is the timing for acquiring the version list (S110:YES), inquiry
information for updating the version list to the latest is
transmitted to the information distribution center 5 (S120).
[0034] Based on a response from the information distribution center
5, it is determined whether it is possible to update the version
list currently stored in the memory (not illustrated in the figure)
to the latest version list (S130). When the list is determined to
be updated to the latest one (S130:YES), request information for
distribution of the version list is transmitted to information
distribution center 5 through the communication unit 24, and the
latest (i.e., updated) version list from the information
distribution center 5 in response is received for overwriting the
currently stored version list in the memory (not illustrated in the
figure) (S140). If there is no version list currently in the
navigation apparatus 1, the version list is acquired from the
information distribution center 5 and is stored in the memory (not
illustrated in the figure).
[0035] On the other hand, when it is determined that the latest
version list is not available (S130:NO), that is, when there is no
version list that is newer than the currently stored version list,
the process concludes itself.
[0036] (Explanation of Map Data Update Process)
[0037] FIG. 3 shows a flowchart showing "the map data update
process" executed in the control unit 29 of the navigation
apparatus 1. This process is started when an accessories switch of
the vehicle is turned on for supplying an electric power to the
navigation apparatus 1 or when a similar procedure is performed.
This process is executed in parallel with the map display process
and the route guidance process described above.
[0038] First, the control unit 29 determines whether a current
position of the vehicle is updated by a detection result from the
position detector 21 when the map data update process is started
(S210). While the current position of the vehicle is determined not
to be updated (S210:NO), this process repeats this step. Then, at a
timing when the current position of the vehicle is determined to be
updated (S210:YES), version information A of the map data of an
area that includes the current vehicle position (designated as an
update area hereinafter) is read from the map data input unit
25.
[0039] Then, the version list acquired in the "version list
acquisition process" (FIG. 2) is referred to, and version
information B of map data of an area corresponding to the update
area for updating the map is read (S230). Then, the version
information A of map data of the update area and the version
information B of map data of an area corresponding to the update
area for updating the map are compared with each other for
determining whether those versions are identical (S240).
[0040] When the version in the version information A and the
version in the version information B are determined to be identical
(S240:NO), the process returns to step S210. When the versions are
determined not to be identical (S240:YES), the inquiry screen for
inquiring an update of the map data (FIG. 4) is displayed on the
display unit 26 (S250).
[0041] FIG. 4 is an illustration showing an inquiry screen for
inquiring a user about the update of map data. The inquiry screen
displays a message that update map data of an area around the
current vehicle position is available and a message that encourages
the user to input whether or not to update the map by downloading
the map data as shown in FIG. 4. In addition, "YES" button 41 and
"NO" button 42 for accepting a user input of an instruction through
a touch panel function on a display surface of the display unit 26
is displayed. The user presses down the "YES" button 41 for
allowing the map data update or presses down the "NO" button for
not allowing the update when giving an instruction of a map data
update to the navigation apparatus 1.
[0042] The update instruction from the user is determined in step
S260. When it is determined that the update of the map data is not
allowed (S260:NO), that is, when "NO" button is pressed down by the
user in the inquiry screen (FIG. 4), the process returns to step
S210.
[0043] On the other hand, when the update of the map data is
allowed (S260:YES), that is, when the user presses down "YES"
button 41 in the inquiry screen (FIG. 4), a distribution request
for the map data of an area corresponding to the update area for
updating the map is transmitted to the information distribution
center 5 from the communication unit 24, and the map data
transmitted from the information distribution center 5 in response
for updating the map is acquired (S 270). Then, through the map
data input unit 25, the map data of the update area is updated
(i.e., an upgrade install) based on the acquired map data. The
process returns to step S210 after the update of the map data.
[0044] The advantage of the navigation apparatus 1 in the above
embodiment is summarized as follows. That is, the update of the map
data is appropriately executed without having an input from a user,
and for only a specific area in the map. In this manner, the map
data is maintained to the latest version with a reduced cost and
time for map data acquisition.
[0045] Further, the map data of in high demand, that is, the map
data of the current vehicle position is updated to be the latest
version for an improved convenience of the user. Furthermore, the
availability of the update of the map data is notified for the user
in advance, thereby giving a control of the update to the user
without wasting the communication cost/time for an unwanted map
data.
[0046] (Modification of the Map Data Update Process)
[0047] Modification of the "map data update process" (FIG. 3) is
explained. The update timing of the map data may be, instead of the
update timing of the current position of the vehicle (S210 in FIG.
3), modified to the manner in the following. The update area of the
map data (i.e., the area including the current vehicle position,
S220 in FIG. 3) may also be modified.
MODIFICATION EXAMPLE 1
[0048] When POI information is provided for the user or POI is used
as a destination in the route guidance upon having a POI setting
regarding specific facilities, a place or the like from the user,
the timing when the user inputs the POI may be used as the map data
update timing and the area including the POI may be specified as
the update area. In this case, in step S210 of the flowchart in
FIG. 3, an input for specifying the POI from a user is determined,
and in step S220, the version information of the map data
corresponding to an area including the POI is read out. The
following process handles the area including the POI as the update
area.
[0049] In this way, the map data of the area including the POI is
always maintained to be the latest condition for the convenience of
the user when the user searches the POI information, or when the
user sets the destination.
MODIFICATION EXAMPLE 2
[0050] The update timing may be set to the timing when the
geographical range of the map displayed on the display unit 26
changes, and the area including the display range after the change
may be set as the update area.
[0051] In this case, the change of the display range includes cases
such as a jump of the display range from the current display range
to another range, a scrolling of the current display range
gradually toward another range or the like. The former case is the
one that the user sets a point to be included in the display range,
or that the scale of the map is changed to the user-specified
magnitude, or the like. The latter case is the one that, for
example, the display range is changed according to the change of
the current vehicle position, or that the display range is
gradually changed according to the user operation of an arrow key
or the like for changing the display range.
[0052] In this case, in step S210 in the flowchart in FIG. 3,
whether the geographical range of the map displayed on the display
unit 26 is changed as a result of each of the other processes
executed in parallel with the map data update process is
determined, and in step S220, the version information of the map
data of the area that corresponds to the display range after the
change is read out. The update area of the map data may be set to
include the display range after the change thereafter, and the rest
of the process may be executed in the same manner as described
above.
[0053] In this way, when the display range of the map changes
according to the input from the user or according to the movement
of the vehicle, the display range after the change, that is, the
map data to be viewed actually by the user is maintained to be the
latest version for the convenience of the user.
MODIFICATION EXAMPLE 3
[0054] Further, the Modification 1 and 2 may be combined with the
map data update process in the embodiment above. That is, in step
S210 in the flowchart in FIG. 3, the update of the current vehicle
position (in the above embodiment) as well as the POI input
instruction (Modification 1) and the change of the geographical
range of the displayed map (Modification 2) may be determined, and
in step S220, the version information of the map data of the area
that corresponds to each of the conditions described above may be
read out. The update area may be set to the area that satisfies the
condition set in step S210 for performing the process described
above thereafter.
MODIFICATION EXAMPLE 4
[0055] Update mode of the map data may be selected by the user.
That is, a mode that automatically acquires and updates the map
data without an update inquiry for the user mode when a version of
map data for updating differs from a version of map data
corresponding to the update area, and a mode that acquires and
updates the map data after inquiring the update to the user may be
provided for the user's disposal. In this manner, the user's
intention to always maintain the map data to be the latest or to
specify the update or no update at the occasion of every update is
reflected to the update operation.
[0056] Although the present invention has been fully described in
connection with the preferred embodiment thereof with reference to
the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes
and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the
art.
[0057] For example, though the embodiment and the modifications are
described as an example implemented to the navigation apparatus 1,
the present disclosure may also be applied to the apparatus that
utilizes map data stored in a memory medium for performing a
process other than the route navigation.
[0058] Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being
within the scope of the present invention as defined by the
appended claims.
* * * * *